Chatbots powered by artificial intelligence (AI) are a great way to keep your customer service lines open 24/7.
Traditional (non-AI) powered chatbots were limited. You could only program the chatbot to handle a few basic queries with only a few set responses.
AI chatbots almost feel like you're talking to a human being. They can handle queries like a human customer service agent, making for positive and satisfying user experiences.
In this blog, we’ll explain:
How an AI chatbot works
How to integrate AI chatbots into your OpenCart store
Five benefits of using AI chatbots
How Does an AI Chatbot Work?
AI chatbots are everywhere. They help with customer service, bookings, and even tech support as intelligently as a human being.
Traditional chatbots follow pre-set rules. They can answer basic questions but struggle with anything unexpected. AI chatbots, on the other hand, are smarter. They learn from conversations and improve over time.
This learning occurs through machine learning (ML) and natural language processing (NLP).
These learning tools allow chatbots to understand the intent behind a question. They also save and learn from all customer interactions, allowing them to adjust and improve their responses over time and hold natural conversations.
For example, a customer asks a chatbot for white running shoes. The chatbot shows the customer a series of white running shoes, but the customer leaves without making a purchase.
Later, the customer returns and asks for waterproof trainers. The chatbot may prioritize showing the customer white waterproof trainers, as it has registered the color as a preference (based on previous interactions).
How to Integrate AI Chatbots into your OpenCart Store
OpenCart is an e-commerce platform that helps businesses set up and manage online stores. There are two main ways to get started:
OpenCart Cloud (Hosted Solution)
This is the easiest way to start, as OpenCart manages the hosting and maintenance.
To begin, visit the OpenCart website and sign up for OpenCart Cloud. Once registered, you can choose a plan that fits your business needs. A free trial is available. After selecting a plan, you can start building your store using the platform’s tools.
Self-Hosted OpenCart (Free Download)
This option provides more control but requires some technical knowledge. As a business owner, you may not possess this knowledge. As a result, you may require a freelance web developer to help you through the process.
Of course, you can also visit OpenCart's home page and hover your mouse over the 'Resources' tab, which contains guides and access to the OpenCart community.
To install OpenCart yourself, first check that your web hosting meets OpenCart’s requirements, which typically include PHP and MySQL support. Download the latest version of OpenCart and upload the files to your web hosting server.
Next, create a MySQL database and run the installation script through your web browser. You’ll have to enter database details and set up an admin account during this process.
Adding AI Chatbot Plugins
OpenCart provides access to a wide range of modules through its marketplace, including AI chatbot plugins.
To find a chatbot plugin or extension, go to the OpenCart Marketplace and search for "AI Chatbot" or similar terms. Browse through the available options and check their descriptions, reviews, and compatibility with your OpenCart version. Some plugins are free, while others require a purchase. Once you’ve chosen a chatbot, follow the developer’s instructions to install and activate it in the OpenCart admin panel or explore AI chatbot development services if you need a more tailored setup.
After installation, configure the chatbot according to your needs.
How to Choose an AI Chatbot Plugin
Your desired AI chatbot plugin depends on your needs and budget. Below are some of our most popular AI Chatbot Plugins.
OpenCart Using ChatGPT
This is a fully locked and loaded ChatGPT-powered chatbot. It runs on the highly advanced GPT 4.0. This chatbot contextually understands customer queries (even with spelling and grammar errors) and can provide remote technical support.
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Response times are fast, and it can handle multiple customer queries around products or general customer questions. As a result, it is geared to boost conversion rates and customer satisfaction for your online business.
As you're getting the full force of ChatGPT, there is a higher cost implication. The plugin is $599 but does come with three months of free support.
Voice-enabled Chatbot
Imagine having an online store manager for your eCommerce business. In the same way a store manager would greet customers at a brick-and-mortar store, this voice-enabled chatbot speaks to online customers. You can watch a demo to see the chatbot in action.
Granted that the voice sounds a little bit robotic, it is much cheaper than the ChatGPT chatbot, coming in at $105.
AI Chatbot and Live Chat Software
If you don’t want to spend any money, you can always download OpenCart's very own AI chatbot. It's free to use forever because it's developed in-house by the OpenCart community.
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The chatbot engages online visitors on its initiative rather than waiting for the user to ask a question. That way, it nurtures the user, which can lead to a greater number of conversions.
The chatbot also directs conversations to a human agent if a query needs that nuanced human care and attention!
5 Benefits of an AI Chatbot
An AI chatbot is your customer service member that works when humans are away. It also frees up time so that team members can focus on high-value tasks instead.
Here are five benefits of integrating an AI chatbot into your OpenCart store.
Personalized and Specific Customer Support
A business selling metal buildings can greatly benefit from integrating AI chatbots into its OpenCart store for enhanced customer support. Given the complexity of choosing the right metal building, factoring in size, materials, customization, and installation, customers often have numerous questions before making a purchase.
An AI chatbot can provide information about pricing, permits, and delivery options, guiding potential buyers through decision-making.
Round-The-Clock Support
AI chatbots are a game-changer for businesses that operate around the clock, ensuring customers get instant support anytime. Cruise America, a leading RV rental company in Florida, leverages AI-powered chatbots to streamline customer interactions.
Their chatbot assists users by answering queries about rental options, availability, pricing, and policies, all without human intervention. This 24/7 support enhances customer experience, reduces wait times, and boosts bookings, making the rental process seamless and efficient.
An Online Personal Shopping Assistant
Marketers can use AI decision-making to make chatbots smarter and more helpful for customers. Think of it like a chatbot that doesn’t just answer questions but actually learns what customers like and need.
With AI, the chatbot can recommend products, personalize messages, and even predict what a shopper might want next. This means businesses can sell more without extra effort, keeping customers happy and engaged.
Customers Like AI Chatbots
Do you think an AI chatbot will be met with apprehension? Think again! Customers have no problem at all talking to a chatbot.
Tidio surveyed over 700 customers about their chatbot experiences. 82% of respondents state they'd be more than happy to speak to an AI chatbot rather than a human. What's more is, an overwhelming more than 96% believe that businesses using chatbots take good care of their customers.
What customers are essentially saying is that when they see a business use a chatbot, it signals due diligence. It's like the business is going the extra mile to look after and serve its customers. This is great for competitive advantage.
Instantaneous and Scalable
AI chatbots can think and retrieve information faster than humans. This means they can provide instant responses to all types of questions and queries–even the complicated questions that may require a human to confer with another human and subsequently put the customer on hold.
Similarly, a human can only help so many customers at once. Realistically, a human can only think about one query and question at any given moment. They can't solve several inquiries at once, but an AI chatbot can.
AI chatbots can handle multiple queries without losing much of the instantaneous nature of their responses.
Think about the return on investment (ROI). Even if you invest in a paid AI chatbot through OpenCart's online marketplace, the fact that the chatbot can solve multiple queries in a split second means it increases customer engagement and brings more customers to conversions.
This means more sales, email inquiries, or product downloads in a given time.
Final Thoughts
Successful online customer support lies heavily in a company's ability to take maximum advantage of AI chatbots.
The one problem companies face when trying to run faster and more efficiently is the adverse effect this has on quality.
AI destroys the quality-over-quantity rule. You can now enjoy a high quantity (of customer support interactions) without sacrificing quality. There's potential to increase the quality.
AI chatbots really can be a game-changer, and they're only going to get smarter.
So, get your free download of OpenCart or a free trial of the cloud version and start training your AI chatbot to wow your customers.
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